JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville University basketball great Rex Morgan, a two-year starter at guard who helped the Dolphins reach the 1970 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball national championship game, passed away early today in Jacksonville.
Morgan, 67, died after a lengthy illness. The Charleston, Ill., native bravely battled throat cancer for the last six years of his life after being diagnosed with Stage 3 in 2010.
"We are immensely saddened at the passing of Rex Morgan, one of Jacksonville University’s most iconic sports figures,’’ JU Chief Athletics Officer Dr. Donnie Horner said. “Besides being a member of our JU Athletics Hall of Fame and legendary basketball team, Mr. Morgan was an NBA veteran, talented coach, and great friend. He will forever represent the very essence of JU Athletics.’’
Morgan’s former Jacksonville teammate, center Artis Gilmore, a consensus All-American, ABA and NBA veteran and member of the Jacksonville University Athletics and Naismith Memorial Basketball Halls of Fame, echoed how other former players and associates felt about the highly respected guard.
"Rex was always a fighter,” Gilmore said of Morgan who had twice beaten cancer since 2010. “That’s no different from the time he was a very competitive athlete back in the 70s when we had an opportunity to compete for a national championship. He was a great teammate and leader.”
After leading the Dolphins in scoring as a junior and being named a Helms Foundation All-American, Morgan helped guide Jacksonville to a 27-2 overall record and appearance in the NCAA Final Four and national title game against John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins.
Morgan ranked second on the team as a senior averaging 18.2 points per game during a season in which the Dolphins set a single-game school record for most points and a single-season record for points. He was named to the 1970 NCAA Championship Mideast Region All-Tournament Team after averaging 25.0 points in three wins over Western Kentucky, Iowa and No.1-ranked Kentucky.
“Against Kentucky and Iowa, Rex was just phenomenal,” Gilmore recalled. “I just can’t say enough about what he meant to the team as far as stepping up and executing big things in big situations to provide that additional team leadership and spirit.”
The Dolphins defeated Saint Bonaventure in the national semifinals before falling to the Bruins in the title game. In five NCAA tournament games, Morgan averaged 20.4 points per contest.
When his collegiate career ended, Morgan ranked first all-time in program history in assists, second in scoring average and fifth in free throws made.
Morgan still ranks in the top 10 in school history for most assists, points in a game, points in a season, free throws made in a game, free throws made in a season, free throws attempted in a season, free throws attempted in a career, career free throws made and career scoring average. He ranks 22nd on the school’s all-time scoring list.
Morgan was selected in the second round, 21st overall, of the 1970 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics and spent two seasons with the team.
“Rex Morgan was not only one of our most legendary student-athletes, he was also one of our region’s most well respected and influential coaches and teachers,’’ JU president Tim Cost said. “He will be missed by the entire Jacksonville University family.’’
After his playing career ended, Morgan spent nearly two decades at the helm of the Arlington Country Day (ACD) boys’ basketball program in Jacksonville and won seven state championships while producing numerous Division I student-athletes. His record at ACD was 477-83, according to The Florida Times-Union.
Morgan was inducted into the Jacksonville University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 and is one of six former Dolphins to have their jersey retired.
Current JU coach Tony Jasick expressed his condolences at Morgan’s passing.
"I truly enjoyed getting to know Rex over the past two years,’’ Jasick said. “He will always be remembered as a decorated player, a great ambassador of JU and, most importantly, a mentor to many young men during his coaching career. Our thoughts are with his family during this challenging time."
Morgan is survived by his wife, Kathleen, son Taylor and daughter Lyndsay.
Funeral arrangements are pending.